TEXclusive

Rick Perry has done it again. As Kay Bailey Hutchison, John Sharp and Jim Hightower — among Lone Star rivals — have learned before, the Texas governor is a wily politician skilled at stealing the spotlight from his opponents and seizing control of the political agenda.

TEXclusive by Lauren French

Yesterday, word that Rick Perry is running for president came just hours before a Republican presidential debate in Iowa. Instantly, Perry became the national story, not the other candidates. Same is true of Saturday: Perry’s announcement in South Carolina (and his later foray into New Hampshire) will funnel attention from what otherwise would have been an Iowa-focused day of news.

The timing of the announcement is likely no coincidence — it’s a sign of the tactical skills of Perry’s advisers. Perry may be getting into the campaign late, but everyone in the GOP field is on notice.

★ Congress mulls returning to D.C. – Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina and Michael Michaud of Maine sent a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi urging them to end the August recess so Congress can focus on jobs. More>>>

★ Doggett slams Perry – again- Outspoken Perry critic Rep. Lloyd Doggett told ABC today that Americans would be praying for survival if Gov. Rick Perry moved into the White House, saying “Under a Perry administration, we would see significantly more prayer across America,” he said. “People would be praying for our country to survive someone whose primary emphasis will be on right-wing ideological zealotry.” More>>>

Reader Comment of the Day

It is something to watch. The libs are scared to death (of the Dem party, that is) of Perry. Now it looks as though the Repub candidates are as well.

★ ★ ★

Texas Watch

TxPotomac lets you know what stories to look out for today — and later this week.

On Deck: Today

★ The Bureau of the Census will release monthly sales for retail trade and food services at 8:30 a.m.

★ The Brookings Institution will hold a discussion titled, “The Deficit’s Impact on American National Security and Foreign Policy.” RSVP required. The event will be in the Falk Auditorium at Brookings Institution at 1775 Massachusetts Ave. at 10 a.m.

★ The Department of Education will host an advisory commission at 11 a.m. on the accessibility of instructional materials for students with disabilities. Contact Elizabeth Shook with the DoE for more important.

★ The Federal Reserve System will release select weekly data on the assets and liabilities of commercial banks in the United States at 4:15 p.m.